March 2, 2010 Town Board Meeting

The Board unanimously authorized a $7,900 payment to prepare an application to the DEC to allow the town to remove sludge from the town’s water supply and reuse it as soil in construction projects.

If approved by the DEC, 100 tons of alum sludge from the town’s water treatment plant could be removed at a cheaper price, and in a more environmentally sound way.

The town’s water department now adds a chemical (alum) to the town’s water supply to filter dirt out of town water. The town disposes the sludge created at the Colonie landfill for $41.50 per ton.

The plan is to combine the sludge with other soil and reuse it as a “beneficial reuse."

Water Supt. Bill West says cost can probably be reduced by as much as $31.50 per ton or an overall 70 percent savings per ton.

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The Board unanimously approved a resolution opposing the closing of Thacher State Park.

Councilman Grimm said, "it is hard to believe there is no money available to keep our parks open given the proposed state budget is $134-billion. Our parks are one of the few government entities all citizens get to enjoy. We should all speak up to protect them.”

Though Thacher Park is not in Guilderland, it provides recreational, scenic, educational and economic benefits to Guilderland residents and businesses.

February 2, 2010 Town Board Meeting

The Board unanimously approved setting aside 191 acres of town land to be managed by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. The dedication did not transfer ownership but provided the Preserve Commission the authority to have management, custody, and control, including the authority to perform fire management and other habitat management.

Councilman Grimm's motion to have the town approved a less costly alternative for a town appraisal for a property in litigation was voted down, 3-2. Board Democrats preferred a more costly alternative.

Supervisor Runion abruptly adjourned the meeting during discussion on the appraisal.

January 19, 2010 Town Board Meeting

Due to insufficient information, two board members (Redlich and Grimm) abstained on a motion to approve a $5,000 appraisal fee for the Metro Diner. The motion failed. The next board meeting would present another opportunity for the board to act on the appraisal proposal or an alternative one.

Ken Brownell was unanimously appointed the new chair of the zoning review committee. He said he hoped to bring the town's zoning code "into the 21st century."

January 1, 2010 Town Board Meeting

In its organizational meeting, the Board unanimously approved 25 of 27 appointments. Councilmen Grimm and Redlich cast no votes on two appointments:
1-Paul Caputo to the Planning Board.
Mr. Caputo is chairman of Albany County Independence Party who oversees the endorsements for Guilderland town candidates. This conflict involving taxpayer money (Caputo receives $4,850 a year for the planning board) made a no vote necessary.
2- Richard Sherwood as Town Attorney
Mr. Sherwood has refused to answer questions from town board members. A chief responsibility of the town attorney is to respond to inquiries from town board members.

Thanks to the entire group of appointees for their service.

December 15, 2009 Town Board Meeting

The Board was split on a vote on approving a new $100 fee for soil disturbance on less than one acre of land. The Board's majority members voted in favor, the minority voted against (3-2 vote).

Councilman Grimm said the permitting papework could easily be absorbed by Town staff and no additional fee is needed. This is unfortunately one more way of reaching into taxpayers' pockets.

The board tabled a vote on transfer of land from the Town to the Pine Bush Preserve Commission. Supervisor Runion had neglected to notify any of the nearby neighbors about the transfer so the Board agreed that should be done first.

The Board approved a new five-year lease agreement for the clubhouse at Western Turnpike Golf Course. The rent will be $75,000 a year for each of the five years of the contract.

The Board also discussed contract negotiations with the Police Benevolent Association in executive session.

December 1, 2009 Town Board Meeting

The Board unanimously approved:

• the appointment of Carl Duda to Sergeant in the Guilderland Police Department
• a settlement of a tax litigation case with Landmark Development Group for four undeveloped vacant losts on Stonebriar Drive
• a new insurance contract for the Town with Capital Bauer --- a one-year policy costing $322,604.

The Board also entered executive session to discuss the lease renewal to the clubhouse at Western Turnpike Golf Course.

November 17, 2009 Town Board Meeting

The Board voted 4-1 (Redlich was lone dissenter) to approve infrastructure for Woodfield Estates, a new subdivsion on East Lydius St. with 45 building lots.

Mary Rozak from United Way spoke about a new 2-1-1 phone help line that connects non-emergency services with people that need them.